Hearing to probe ‘crony’ e-mails

A Turriff councillor implicated in a “cronyism” row over plans to build a 150ft wind turbine will face a standards commission hearing.

Sandy Duncan first submitted a proposal to instal the turbine at Beechwood, near Forglen, three years ago.

Planning permission has been withdrawn several times and the scheme was stalled at the Court of Session last year.

Mr Duncan was then accused of “cronyism” after he called on fellow

“Mr Duncan referred himself to the commission”

councillors to back his plans. The SNP member used an official council e-mail account to contact fellow Nationalists on the Banff and Buchan area committee, which granted permission.

The application was reopened and rejected in February.

In the wake of the cronyism accusations – which he strongly denies – Mr Duncan referred himself to the Standards Commission.

A public hearing will be held in June to make a final decision on whether Mr Duncan has contravened the councillors’ code of conduct. He will be able to speak at the hearing.